Lagos: Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has underscored the critical importance of ocean stewardship and the untapped potential of the blue economy. Oyetola delivered the keynote address at the 2025 World Maritime Day celebration, held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, themed ‘Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity,’ highlighted the global call by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to protect marine ecosystems while fostering sustainable economic growth.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the Minister outlined Nigeria’s strategic efforts to modernize port infrastructure, enforce sustainable fishing practices, and enhance maritime safety. Oyetola praised the commitment of agencies under the Ministry and their alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, identifying the blue economy as a frontier for innovation. He pointed to opportunities in renewable ocean energy, marine biotechnology, and aquaculture, reiterating the government’s commitment to reducing reliance on oil and gas through bold reforms and international collaboration.
In a significant diplomatic appeal, Oyetola invited global partners to deepen cooperation in maritime governance. He emphasized diplomacy as a strong anchor for the maritime sector and announced Nigeria’s bid to return to Category C of the IMO Council, citing the country’s longstanding contributions to global maritime policy.
Additionally, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), stressed the ocean’s importance as the lifeblood of Nigeria and a gateway for over 80 percent of the country’s trade. Mobereola highlighted NIMASA’s efforts to combat pollution and the critical need for private sector investment to address the significant funding gap in ocean health and the blue economy.
Similarly, Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), assured stakeholders of the NPA’s commitment to promoting port eco-friendliness. Dantsoho called on stakeholders to take concrete actions to protect the ocean, emphasizing the importance of making global port operations more eco-friendly.
The 2025 World Maritime Day event, attended by industry leaders, diplomats, and stakeholders, highlighted Nigeria’s readiness to play a leading role in shaping the future of maritime governance, both domestically and globally.